Parenta Magazine May 2018

May the fourth be with you!
This year, the 4th May marks a celebration of everything
inter-cosmic and planetary. That’s right – it’s Space Day! It’s
the perfect time for childcare settings to introduce children
to the solar system, space-themed sensory play and the
role of astronauts.
Space-themed activities you can try in your setting
Ready to inspire the next generation of little astronauts with the wonders of space? Why not
have a go at some of the following activities:
Observed on the first Friday in May,
Space Day celebrates the achievements
and opportunities in the exploration
and use of space. It’s a wonderful way
to promote STEM subjects (science,
technology, engineering and maths) to
children and encourage them to pursue
a career in science or jobs relating to
the study of space.
The first astronauts
In October 1957, the Soviet Union
launched the first satellite into space
called Sputnik. From that point, the
pressure was on to see which nation –
the Soviet Union or America – would be
the first to launch a manned spacecraft
around Earth.
One year later, America had created
a space programme called Project
Mercury. This was intended to be the
world’s first manned space programme.
A vigorous selection process began in
the search for astronauts and, from over
110 potential candidates, 7 men were
chosen for the task.
The men selected for the mission
were all military test pilots. They had
to endure a range of excruciating
tests, including spending 2 hours in a
heated chamber at a temperature of 54
degrees Celsius.
On the 12th April 1961, America
suffered a shock setback when a
Soviet cosmonaut named Yuri Gagarin
became the first person to orbit the
earth on a manned space flight.
America had lost its space race with
the Soviet Union.
The very same year, President John
F. Kennedy set a goal of landing a
man on the moon within the space of
a decade. America was determined
to surpass the achievements of their
Soviet counterparts.
Setting foot on the moon
Many people are already familiar
with the name Neil Armstrong and his
reputation for being the first person to
set foot on the moon. He was part of a
mission called Apollo 11 which blasted off
from Earth on the 16th July 1969. Michael
Collins and Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin also
accompanied Neil Armstrong into space.
Four days later, America realised its
dream of becoming the first nation to
land a man on the moon. Armstrong
and Aldrin were successful. Having
reached the moon’s surface, they
explored the terrain and spent 3 hours
collected samples. They also erected
a US flag during their visit. Collins
stayed in orbit around the moon, taking
pictures.
¥ ¥ Create a space station in your role play area, complete with space suits, a control centre
and walkie-talkies
¥ ¥ Using rolled up balls of tin foil, create ‘moon rocks’ which your babies can throw,
squash and play with
¥ ¥ Challenge the children to create their own rovers and moon landers using cardboard
boxes, egg cartons and other recycled materials
¥ ¥ For a sensory experience, dim the lights in one room and get a projector to reflect stars
around the walls and ceiling
¥ ¥ Print off some simple star constellations and have your children recreate them on black
paper using star stickers. Once the basic shape is in place, have the children use white
chalk to draw lines between the stickers to show the shape of the constellation
¥ ¥ If you’re within easy travelling distance of Leicester, why not take a visit to the National
Space Centre? It has the UK’s largest planetarium and a 42-metre high rocket tower
¥ ¥ Let children create their own astronaut and alien masks. Once they’re complete, have
them try ‘space-walking’ around the room
¥ ¥ Encourage children to build and decorate their own space rockets
¥ ¥ If costs allow, consider hiring a mobile planetarium with an experienced astronomy
specialist to answer all the children’s questions
¥ ¥ After talking to children about the moon’s surface (colour, craters, mountains, etc.),
challenge them to make their own model moonscape. Use small rocks to make craters
from ‘asteroids’ crashing into the surface
Are you planning on celebrating Space Day in your setting?
Share your stories and photos with us at marketing@parenta.com!
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